Panel Profiles

Michael Friedberg Marketing Manager

Michael has been working with businesses that use technology as a business enabler for over 10 years, establishing and selling a web and eCommerce company to a specialist software development house, where he help set up the sales/marketing function. Michael then became the national marketing manager for one of NZ's largest systems integrators.

With a bachelor of commerce and management (marketing major), Michael lives on Waiheke Island, with his two children, and enjoys running, reading, wine and relaxing with the family.

Rob Varker Emerging Technologies Executive

Rob is the Emerging Technologies Executive for IBM New Zealand's Global Technology Services. He is responsible for driving IBM's cloud computing strategy for New Zealand as well as identifying new technologies that could provide benefit to our clients.

Rob is an expert on cloud computing, and is part of a global team within IBM looking at new ways to deliver IBM's services to our clients utilising the cloud framework as a base. He is in regular contact with colleagues in the US, China, Brazil and Europe to understand what aspects of cloud computing work well, and could potentially be leveraged by IBM New Zealand. Rob also has extensive experience in virtualisation, service management and strategic outsourcing.

Roland Bell Managing Consultant

Roland Bell is a Managing Consultant in IBM Global Business Services based in Wellington. He specialises in consulting with private and public sector clients in the areas of organisation strategy and change. During his consulting career, Roland has worked on assignments covering IT strategy and business architecture, in small-to-medium and large organisations. He has been involved in the development and implementation of e-business strategies and initiatives, as well a number of project management and delivery activities.

Roland is an expert in business and IT strategy alignment, defining IT strategies and roadmaps using a structured methodology, defining and assessing enterprise architectures, as well as project management and consulting delivery projects. Roland is fascinated in the use of strategic modelling tools, such as IBM's Component Business Modelling methodology, to help solve real client problems.

Andrew Fox NZ Manager, IBM Systems & Technology Group

Andrew is responsible for IBM New Zealand's Systems & Technology business, providing systems and storage solutions to clients across NZ.

During his 22 years at IBM, Andrew has been involved in many aspects of IBM's business including direct sales, Application Management Services and Hardware and Software support. During his spare time Andrew is part family man, with a wife and 2 young boys, and part internet geek.

Cathryn Lancaster Business Development Manager

Cathryn is a member of the GBS Public Sector team and has an industry focus on the healthcare sector. Cathryn has extensive C-level relationships across the healthcare sector including DHBs and the Ministry of Health. Cathryn also has deep knowledge of business and technology issues facing the healthcare sector and a good understanding of competitors and business partners offerings.

Cathryn is currently involved in a number of initiatives implementing New Zealand's health information strategy including clinical process transformation, electronic health records and consumer centric healthcare.

Cathryn has led numerous projects improving the patient journey through the healthcare system in New Zealand through the use of capacity planning tools and lean thinking methodologies. She is a board member of the New Zealand Health IT Cluster and is a participant in the New Zealand Connected Health Forum. Prior to her current role, Cathryn held a number of financial management and supply chain management roles in the healthcare and life sciences industries in the UK.

Chris Sparshott Social Software Evangelist

Chris is the IBM New Zealand spokesperson for Web 2.0, SaaS and Social Networking. He advises line of business, industry analysts and press on the opportunities and risks that arise from new media.

His expertise focuses on how to implement, use, deploy and gain value from the interactions that social software facilitates. He speaks monthly to special interest groups, at conferences and to customers on how social software is changing society and how this impacts the way we engage with information and each other.

He is a recognised expert within IBM as an enabler of cultural change and social software adoption and a social media coach to IBM's executive team.

He also has extensive experience around IBM's software products including collaborative tools, application integration and SOA across Europe, UK and New Zealand. This includes a range of industry verticals such as defence, government and telecommunications.

Chris holds a BEng (Hons) in Manufacturing Engineering from Coventry University and is recognised as a Chartered IT Professional from the British Computer Society.

Craig Wall Software Technical Sales

I have been with IBM for the past 4 ½ years since joining as a graduate in 2005. During that time I have been working as a Software Technical Sales Specialist in the Rational and WebSphere Software brands.

I have worked with clients on software development lifecycle solutions, application integration, SOA, Business to Business (B2B), and Business Process Management (BPM) projects. I am eagerly awaiting the birth of my first child which I imagine will put a stop to my favourite activities; windsurfing, kayak fishing, and diving. Nevertheless I look forward to the new adventures with much excitement.

Damian Funnell Technical Solutions Manager, IBM Global Services

Damian is a Technical Solutions Manager for IBM Global Services, specialising in the design of innovative outsourcing and infrastructure transformation services for large corporations.

Damian has a wide range of technical skills and experience and he has worked with customers from all of IBM's industry sectors.

Damian helps customers find bold and innovative ways of transforming their IT services environments to drive improved business value from their technology infrastructures.

Dougal Watt Consulting Architect

Dougal Watt is currently leads both the Architecture Practice and Profession for IBM NZ.

He has worked abroad in the UK and Europe in a broad range of positions, including working as a CTO, Lead Architect and Business and IT Consulting expert for clients in the telecommunications, manufacturing, government, financial services, publishing and IT consulting industries.

Dougal has extensive international experience in business and IT consulting, project, programme and senior management, has exceptional enterprise architecture skills, and is a published author with considerable public speaking experience.

Gary Obbes Financial Management Consulting Lead

Gary trained as a chartered accountant with Deloitte South Africa. Most of his career has been in the UK where he worked with internationally reputed organisations such as GE, Barclays, Abbey National, Dixons Stores Group, British Telecom and Marks & Spencer. He has held line management, consulting and project roles in Finance and Operations. His diverse experience has included all aspects of the Finance function and his operational experience has given him unique insight into the practical alignment of Finance to Operations to support the achievement of organisational strategic objectives. Gary joined IBM NZ two years ago and currently leads the Financial Management consulting practice.

Gary's areas of expertise include performance management - particularly planning, budgeting and forecasting; finance and operational transformation, especially shared services and centres of excellence; and strategic profit improvement.

Some of the projects Gary has worked on:

• Alignment of strategy, planning, budgeting and forecasting and implementation of related processes and applications;
• RE-design and implementation of management reporting framework;
• Finance transformation to implement shared service and business partner model resulting in 20% cost savings and improved alignment between Finance and the business;
• Finance integration activities for acquired businesses;
• Product profitability analysis for a premier UK food retailer.

In his spare time Gary enjoys time with his wife and children, fishing, antiques, gardening and pretending to be a farmer with a flock of 10 chickens.

Isuru Fernando Technology Specialist

Isuru has grown up with computers, tinkering and programming since the early 80s.

He completed studies at the University of Auckland's Faculty of Engineering as a Computer Systems / Electronics Engineer in the classical sense. Here he was also a postgraduate member of the Embedded Systems and Robotics Research groups. After working in various senior roles in software development, Isuru is now part of the Systems and Technology Group at IBM.

His alter ego is part NGO response team for disasters. In his spare time, he still tinkers and programmes.

John Martin Pre-Sales Technical Consultant & Security Practice Leader

John has extensive experience in Information Security & Privacy, data security and wireless communications. He has travelled extensively with HM UK Government and Marconi Communications. Enterprise architecture and trusted adviser.

John is a Pre-Sales Technical Consultant for Security Services & Security Practice Leader for IBM NZ. His qualifications include Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP) and a Chartered Information Technology Professional, Certified Information Security Manager (CISM). He is a registered Security Specialist with the British Computer Society (BCS) and member of the New Zealand Computer Society. He holds a Masters degree in Managing Information Systems from the University of Salford, UK. He has 31 years of experience in various security fields.

He was formally trained originally as a Maritime Radio Officer before joining the Diplomatic Wireless Service within the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO), where he worked extensively overseas for 20 years.

After leaving the FCO he joined the commercial world with Marconi PLC. He migrated to New Zealand with his wife in 2001 and joined Logical Networks as a contractor, remaining there until the IBM acquisition.

John is a board member of the Internet Safety Group, now known as Netsafe. He is involved in Civil Defence Emergency Communications and Amateur Radio Emergency Communications as a volunteer.

John's hobbies include reading, dog walking, Amateur Radio and electronics.

Murray Price Business Manager, Healthcare and Life Sciences

I have a 20+ year history in IT spanning a range of different roles from administration, pre-sales support, technical sales, relationship sales, complex account management and Sales Management.

I have an interest in healthcare and research as domains where IBM can bring our extensive experience to NZ clients and have developed a number of key industry contacts in IBM overseas.

I am interested in working with our clients and fellow IBMers to provide mutual value in the longer term through understanding our clients businesses, their markets and their clients, then working in partnership with all parties to deliver meaningful change.

Phil Sheehan ISV Alliance Manager

An experienced and tertiary qualified manager with an excellent professional business background, including managing own Internet company. Background includes general management, marketing, sales (including E-Commerce), supply chain, and software development.

Previous experience includes working for a US-based multi-national organization from a distant geographical location. Highly motivated, with passion, attitude, commitment and entrepreneurial flair. Strong work ethic and desire to excel, and brings a high degree of integrity and honesty to working environment. Previous start-up experience, and a strong belief that the customer is king. Independent and versatile with an ability to motivate and develop high performing teams.

Stefan Nordbruch Associate Analyst Infrastructure & IT Services

Stefan Nordbruch is an Associate Analyst for IDC's hardware and IT services research teams. In his role, Stefan regularly tracks and analyses the New Zealand IT Services, PC and Monitor markets. In addition to these responsibilities, Stefan has also been involved in customised client research. Stefan holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Auckland with a double major in Marketing & Operations Management.

During his study, he also participated in an exchange program with the University of Sydney and attended a private language school in Buenos Aires, Argentina for one semester. Prior to his study, Stefan was working as an application developer in Hamburg, Germany where he was engaged in the development and customisation of the vendor's ERP offerings. Stefan is fluent in German and English and has intermediate Spanish skills.

Ben Kepes Blogger and commentator

Ben's background is in business and the physical world. He's also gone down a fork in the road to build a significant online presence. He's a blogger and evangelist for cloud computing generally and software as a service specifically - most notably as editor of CloudAve.com, the preeminent location for Cloud Computing commentary.

He's an advisor to early stage software companies and a strong advocate for software having a user-centric focus. His particular area of interest is accounting and business process software. He writes for physical publications, blogs and consults from a small farm in rural North Canterbury.